DELEGATION OF BEER SWARAJ CONFERENCE HOLD MEETING WITH PAU OFFICIALS

LUDHIANA, MAY 30:-----



A delegation of Beer Swaraj Conference today met the registrar of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Dr R. K. Mahey and the directors and heads of various departments of the university. Various issues concerning soil health, Bt cotton, genetically modified (GM) crops, pesticides and herbicides and hybrid varieties were discussed in the meet.



Dr Mahey, Dr S.S. Gosal and Dr M.S. Gill, Directors of Research and Extension Education, PAU, speaking on this occasion said that science is a continuous process. Stating that the mission of PAU is to serve the farmers in particular and the nation at large, they emphasized on the diversification of agriculture. They added that the university experts and farmers work hand in hand and all the feedback is taken into consideration in formulating the strategies for the future research and extension programs. The Director (Seeds), Deputy Director of Research, varsity heads of the departments of agronomy, plant breeding and genetics and entomology responded to the queries of the delegation members and divulged that a database survey of soil health has been conducted by PAU and that the university has been imparting training to the farmers in seed production also. The Director (Biotechnology) said that alongwith biodiversity, bio-safety measures are taken into account. They highlighted that PAU has and would continue to contribute lucrative agriculture to farming community and the country.



Led by the Executive Director of Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM), Umendra Dutt, the delegation members said that seed is the most vital component of agriculture and the basis for food security. Being critical input in farming, there is a need to address issues like increasing prices, monopoly and control by private companies, unavailability of good quality seeds, loss of biodiversity and decline of public sector seed enterprise. Hailing the contribution of PAU in making the country self-sufficient on food front, they highlighted that for the benefit of the farmers and assured availability of seeds for agriculture and food security of the country, PAU can play a vital role.



They disclosed that Industry data shows that the Indian seed industry value is currently worth US$ 2 billion, within the global commercial seed market of US $ 30 bn. This is around Rs 9000 crore. They stressed that nation's food sovereignty as well as farming communities' livelihoods are closely linked to seed sovereignty. Remarking that farmers have become totally dependent on the market for their seeds, the visiting delegation said that private seed industry has become a thriving business, with no control over prices and quality and bemoaned that farmers have become victims of this. They added that PAU scientists can contribute significantly in addressing the issues of seeds, ecological agriculture and agrarian crisis.


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